Choosing the right fuel source (wood, gas, or electric) to heat your home is an important step in picking a fireplace. There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing your fuel source. FireSide Hearth and Home offers electric, natural gas, and wood burning fireplaces for inside the home. Before you get started, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages to each fireplace type.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are a great choice if you lack space or viable venting placement options. Electric fireplaces produce no combustion byproducts and can be installed almost anywhere in your home. Modern electric fireplaces are very beautiful and an amazing option to an actual wood burning fireplace. Electricity is also available in every home, so you do not have to worry about installing the necessary equipment to bring a new fuel source into your home.
However, it is important to check electricity prices in your area. In the winter, it can be more expensive to heat your home with electricity than is would be to heat with natural gas or wood.
Gas Fireplaces
Natural gas fireplaces are very convenient and popular with fireplace owners. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association has found that nearly 70% of hearth products in use today are burning gas. Gas fireplaces are convenient because they turn on and off with a switch or a knob. They also heat up your home very quickly.
For a natural gas fireplace, your home must be hooked up to a municipal gas supply. If your home does not already have a hook up, this would add some extra cost to your new fireplace. Gas heating systems are larger than electric systems and require ventilation equipment to dispel the toxic gases including CO2 that are produced during the combustion process. It is also important to check natural gas prices in your area.
Wood Fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are great to have when electricity goes down and in general, wood fuel is less expensive than both electricity and natural gas. Buying wood from neighbors helps promote the local economy and arguably, wood burning homeowners tend to pay more attention to their energy consumption. Wood is also considered a renewable resource because the carbon dioxide released by wood fireplaces is recycled back into young trees
Many people believe wood burning fireplaces are less efficient and are a significant cause of air pollution especially during the winter. Wood stoves are also considered less safe.
It must be noted that all the issues, listed above, with wood burning fireplaces are all but nonexistent with newer wood burning fireplace models. Newer fireplaces can burn with 80% efficiency and are extremely safe.
We Make Your Choice Easy
The experts at FireSide Hearth & Home can help you find the perfect fireplace for your home. All we need to know is your preferences, your vision, and the space available. Our NFI-Certified installers with make sure your electric, gas, or wood burning fireplace and any attached venting system is planned and installed properly. Our experts will follow manufacturer’s specifications and make sure that your system is installed for maximum safety and performance. We are also happy to educate you on proper fireplace care so that your fireplace remains safe.
If you need a new appliance or fireplace accessory installed in your home, give us a call at (855) 769-8183 or stop by and see us! We’re here to help!
